Apparatus and method for wireless network extensibility and enhancement

ABSTRACT

Apparatus and methods for extending and enhancing wireless networks. An exemplary wireless network configured according to the disclosure uses in-service Wireless Network Clients (WNCs), such as mobile phones, laptops, etc., to extend and enhance the wireless network coverage via peer-to-peer sub-networks. In one implementation, each WNC is configured to operate as a Service Access Node (SAN) to other wireless client devices in the same network. The SAN provides peer-to-peer communications capabilities (to communicate with wireless clients) and gateway functionality (to aggregate data traffic over its own uplink communications), thereby enabling wireless clients to “piggyback” their data link onto the WNC. Peer Control Manager (PCM) software on each WNC enables, disables, and controls the service functions for that WNC in accordance with an overarching Peer Controller (PC) entity operated by an Access Point Controller/Core Network.

PRIORITY AND RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a divisional of and claims priority toco-owned and co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/959,948 ofthe same title filed on Dec. 4, 2015, and issuing as U.S. Pat. No.10,327,187 on Jun. 18, 2019, which is incorporated herein by referencein its entirety. In addition, the present application is generallyrelated to the subject matter of co-owned U.S. patent application Ser.No. 14/534,067 filed Nov. 5, 2014, entitled “METHODS AND APPARATUS FORDETERMINING AN OPTIMIZED WIRELESS INTERFACE INSTALLATION CONFIGURATION”,and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,935,833 on Apr. 4, 2018, U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/302,313 filed Jun. 11, 2014 and entitled“METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR ACCESS POINT LOCATION” and U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/959,885 filed on Dec. 4, 2015, entitled“APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR SELECTIVE DATA NETWORK ACCESS”, and issued asU.S. Pat. No. 9,986,578 on May 29, 2018 each of the foregoingincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

COPYRIGHT

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialthat is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent documentor the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and TrademarkOffice patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrightrights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND 1. Technological Field

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of wirelessnetworks, and specifically in one implementation, to apparatus andmethods for enabling a wireless client device to host, exchange, andtransfer data to/from other wireless client devices. Various disclosedembodiments additionally extend and enhance wireless networks withoutrequiring additional network service elements.

2. Description of Related Technology

Wireless networking technologies enable wireless devices to connect toone another. One common application for wireless technology is toprovide network access to devices that are within a coverage area of awireless network that is connected to the Internet. One such technologyis Wi-Fi™ (IEEE Std. 802.11), which has become the de facto standard forwireless networking in consumer electronics. Wi-Fi enables multipleinterconnected Access Points (APs, also commonly referred to as“hotspots”) to provide coverage areas ranging from those as small aslocal coffee shops or residences, to entire corporate and academiccampuses.

Commercially, Wi-Fi provides high value services in, for example,airports, hotels, and restaurants. Businesses and/or promotional eventsoften provide Internet service to attract customers. Artisans ofordinary skill in the related arts will readily appreciate that typicalwireless APs have an effective connectivity range on the order of onehundred (100) feet, depending on factors such as the presence or absenceof buildings or other structures (and their materials of construction),and other interfering emitters. Large coverage areas can be formed bygrouping together a number of APs with overlapping coverage.Unfortunately, large Wi-Fi deployments require significant upfrontnetwork planning, and capital outlays. Network providers must oftentrade-off coverage and/or quality of service (QoS) for costconsiderations.

One current solution for expanding network coverage is so-called “meshnetworking.” In mesh networks, each node can relay messages to othernodes of the network; relaying may occur via any number of intermediarynodes (i.e., “hops”). Existing mesh networking technologies encompassfully connected meshes (i.e., where each node is connected to all othernodes) as well as partially-connected meshes (i.e., where nodes areconnected to some subset of the total network). Mesh networks may employboth routing addressing (i.e., unicast) and so-called “flooding” addressschemes (i.e., broadcast/multicast).

Mesh networking technologies are often useful in decentralized usecases; however, centralized network management is significantlycomplicated by the fluidly changing mechanics and/or topologies of meshnetworks. Additionally, existing mesh network technologies have not beenreadily incorporated within the context of wireless local area networks(WLANs). For example, incipient research into implementing meshnetworking within WLANs has largely been confined to service nodes(e.g., only the APs are meshed). In such deployments, the wirelesscontrollers manage the service nodes and wireless clients in acontrolled environment, and the wireless devices connect via atraditional network service (e.g., legacy Wi-Fi operation).

To these ends, solutions are needed to extend and enhance existingnetwork technologies. Specifically, desirable solutions and improvementswould enable wireless network providers to expand their coverage overlarger areas, preferably with minimal outlays of capital and/or networkinfrastructure (e.g., APs), and with substantial flexibility.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure addresses the foregoing needs by providing, interalia, methods and apparatus for wireless network extensibility andmanagement.

In one aspect of the disclosure, a method of extending coverage in awireless network is provided. In one embodiment, the network includes anetwork access point in data communication with a network controlentity, and the method includes: identifying a wireless user device inwireless data communication with the network access point;communicating, from the network control entity to the wireless userdevice via the network access point, one or more data elements, the oneor more data elements configured to cause the wireless user device toadvertise itself as an available access point to at least one otherwireless user device which is within communications range of thewireless user device yet which is not within communications range of thenetwork access point; and upon association of the one other wirelessuser device with the wireless user device, causing establishment ofcommunications between the one other wireless user device with at leastthe network control entity such that: (i) the one other wireless userdevice and the network entity can transact data via the wireless userdevice; and (ii) the wireless user device can transact data with thenetwork control entity in tandem with the data transaction between theone other wireless user device and the network control entity.

In one variant, communications between the network access point and thewireless user device are conducted according to a wireless local areanetwork (WLAN) protocol, and communications between the wireless userdevice and the one other wireless user device are also conductedaccording to the WLAN protocol. The wireless user device and the oneother wireless user device comprise, in one implementation, peers withrespect to the network access point.

In another variant, the wireless user device acts as a pass-through forcommunications between the one other wireless user device and thenetwork access point.

In a further variant, the wireless user device acts as a host entity forcommunications between the one other wireless user device and thenetwork access point, and the communications between the one otherwireless user device and the network access point include: firstcommunications generated by the one other wireless user device andaddressed to the wireless user device; and second communicationsgenerated by the wireless user device and addressed to the networkaccess point, the second communications based at least at least in parton the first communications. In one implementation, the firstcommunications comprise use of a first secure data protocol, and thesecond communications comprise use of a second secure data protocol,such as wherein the first secure data protocol comprises a first sessionbetween the one other wireless user device and the wireless user device,and the second secure data protocol comprises a second session betweenthe wireless user device and the network access point.

In another variant, the method further includes downloading at least onecomputer program to the wireless user device via a wireless interfacethereof, the at least one computer program operative to, when executedon the wireless user device, enable the advertisement in response toreceipt of the one or more data elements. Provisioning of the at leastone computer program after the downloading may also be conducted, theprovisioning comprising e.g., utilizing at least the network controlentity to cause configuration of at least a portion of the at least onecomputer program using data transmitted from the network control entity.

In another aspect, a method of operating a wireless network isdisclosed. In one embodiment, the network includes a network accesspoint in data communication with a network control entity, and themethod comprises: determining that a wireless user device in wirelessdata communication with the network access point requires handover toanother access point; communicating, from the network control entity toanother wireless user device via the network access point, one or moredata elements, the one or more data elements configured to cause theanother wireless user device to enable data communications with thewireless user device when the wireless user device and another wirelessuser device are within communications range of one another; and uponassociation of the wireless user device with the another wireless userdevice, causing establishment of communication between the wireless userdevice with at least the network control entity.

In one variant, the determination that a wireless user device inwireless data communication with the network access point requireshandover to another access point includes evaluating at least oneparameter associated with a wireless link between the wireless userdevice and the network access point to identify degradation ofperformance of the link. In one implementation, the evaluation of atleast one parameter associated with a wireless link comprises evaluatinga received signal strength indication relative to a prescribed thresholdvalue.

In another implementation, the evaluation of at least one parameterassociated with a wireless link comprises evaluating a bit error rate(BER).

In yet another implementation, the evaluation of at least one parameterassociated with a wireless link comprises evaluating the at least oneparameter using the network control entity to analyze one or more datavalues forwarded thereto via the network access point.

In another variant, the causation of the another wireless user device toenable data communications with the wireless user device comprises atleast transmission of one or more beacons from the another wireless userdevice, the one or more beacons advertising the another wireless userdevice as an available access point.

In a further variant, the causation of the another wireless user deviceto enable data communications with the wireless user device comprises atleast transmission of one or more beacons from the another wireless userdevice, the one or more beacons comprising a service set identifier(SSID) also used by the network access point.

In yet another variant, the method further includes maintaining anexisting session previously established between the wireless user deviceand the network access point for the communication between the wirelessuser device with at least the network control entity after theassociation of the wireless user device with the another wireless userdevice.

In still another variant, the communicating, from the network controlentity to another wireless user device via the network access point, oneor more data elements, comprises communicating with a software entityoperative to run on the another wireless user device via one or morecustomized application programming interfaces (APIs).

In another aspect, a non-transitory computer readable storage apparatusis disclosed. In one embodiment, the storage apparatus has a storagemedium, the storage medium having at least one computer program having aplurality of instructions, the plurality of instructions configured tobe executed on a processing apparatus of a wireless-enabled user devicein data communication with the computer readable storage apparatus. Thewireless-enabled user device further includes a wireless interface indata communication with the processor apparatus, and the plurality ofinstructions are configured to, when executed, cause thewireless-enabled user apparatus to: receive data from a network entityvia the wireless interface; utilize the received data to enable thewireless-enabled user device to cause transmission, via the wirelessinterface, of beacon data, the beacon data advertising thewireless-enabled user device as an access point for otherwireless-enabled devices; receive data from one or more otherwireless-enabled devices substantially in response to the beacon data;establish an association between the one or more other wireless-enableddevices; and establish a session between the one or more otherwireless-enabled user devices and the network entity.

In one variant, the at least one computer program includes: a firstsoftware process configured to enable communication between the at leastone computer program and one or more software applications resident onthe wireless-enabled user device; and a second software processconfigured to enable communication between the at least one computerprogram and one or more device drivers of the wireless-enabled userdevice. In one implementation, the first and the second softwareprocesses each include application programming interfaces (APIs); andthe at least one computer program further includes a radio frequency(RF) bandwidth calculation process in logical communication with theAPIs, and an application bandwidth registry process in logicalcommunication with the RF bandwidth process.

In a further aspect, a network apparatus for use within a wirelessnetwork is disclosed. In one embodiment, the network apparatus includes:a computerized controller entity, the controller entity comprising atleast one computer program operative to run on a processing apparatus ofthe controller entity, and a backhaul data interface configured for datacommunication with a packet-switched network; and a plurality ofwireless access points in data communication with the controller entity,the access points each comprising a wireless interface having acommunications range associated therewith.

In one variant, the at least one computer program further includes aplurality of instructions which, when executed by the processorapparatus, cause at least one of the wireless access points to: transmitdata to a peer-enabled wireless user device within a communicationsrange thereof, the transmitted data configured to enable thepeer-enabled wireless user device to cause transmission, via a wirelessinterface thereof, of beacon data, the beacon data advertising thepeer-enabled wireless user device as an access point for other wirelessuser devices; receive data initiated from one or more other wirelessuser devices associated with the peer-enabled wireless user device; andutilize a session between the one or more other wireless user devicesand the computerized controller entity, the session used to enableaccess by the one or more other user devices to an internetwork in datacommunication with the network apparatus via the backhaul interface.

In another variant, the network apparatus is further configured todetermine that the one or more other wireless user devices in wirelessdata communication with one of the wireless access points requireshandover to another access point; and the utilization of the sessioncomprises maintaining an existing, previously established communicationssession between the one or more other wireless user devices and thecomputerized controller entity, so as to make the handoff to thepeer-enabled wireless user device substantially seamless to the one ormore other wireless user devices.

In yet a further aspect, a peer-enabled wireless user device isdisclosed. In one embodiment, the device includes a WLAN (i.e., Wi-Fi)interface and peer management computer software and/or firmwareoperative to run on the device and configured to manage establishment ofassociations with other Wi-Fi-enabled user devices, and connection toone or more network access points, such that the peer-enabled device iscapable of acting as an AP for the other Wi-Fi-enabled devices, such aswhen the latter are out of range of a network operator's (e.g., MSO) AP.

In still another aspect, a peer control module is disclosed. In oneembodiment, the module comprises a software process (e.g., applicationlayer program, and/or middleware) resident on a wireless user deviceprotocol stack and configured to interface with application layerprograms and device derives so as to implement wireless access point andpeer associations.

In a further aspect, a network controller entity is disclosed. In oneembodiment, the controller entity is configured to communicate with aplurality of wireless (e.g., WLAN) APs so as to manage connectivity andwireless coverage afforded by the network to user devices via, e.g.,handoffs between the APs and one or more wireless network clients (WNCs)also within the network.

These and other aspects shall become apparent when considered in lightof the disclosure provided herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating an exemplary hybridfiber network configuration useful with various aspects of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 1a is a functional block diagram illustrating one exemplary networkheadend configuration useful with various aspects of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 1b is a functional block diagram illustrating one exemplary localservice node configuration useful with various aspects of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 1c is a functional block diagram illustrating one exemplarybroadcast switched architecture (BSA) network useful with variousaspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1d is a functional block diagram illustrating one exemplarypacketized content delivery network architecture useful with variousaspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating one prior art wirelessnetwork.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating one exemplary wirelessnetwork useful with various aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a logical flow diagram of one embodiment of a generalizedmethod for mobility management of the wireless network useful withvarious aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4a is a logical flow diagram of one embodiment of a method forWireless Network Client (WNC) association management according to thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a graphical representation of the exemplary received signalstrength indication (RSSI) that a wireless device observes as it movesaway from an access point, toward a Wireless Network Client (WNC).

FIG. 6 is a software ladder diagram representation of one exemplaryhandover transaction according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a logical flow diagram of one embodiment of a generalizedmethod for transacting data via a peer-to-peer sub-network according tothe present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram of one embodiment of a WirelessNetwork Client (WNC) system architecture configured to manage data linkoperation.

FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram of one embodiment of a WirelessNetwork Client (WNC) apparatus according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram of one embodiment of an AccessPoint (AP) Controller/Core Network Peer Connection Manager (PCM)apparatus according to the present disclosure.

All figures © Copyright 2015 Time Warner Enterprises LLC. All rightsreserved.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference is now made to the drawings wherein like numerals refer tolike parts throughout.

As used herein, the term “application” refers generally and withoutlimitation to a unit of executable software that implements a certainfunctionality or theme. The themes of applications vary broadly acrossany number of disciplines and functions (such as on-demand contentmanagement, e-commerce transactions, brokerage transactions, homeentertainment, calculator etc.), and one application may have more thanone theme. The unit of executable software generally runs in apredetermined environment; for example, the unit could include adownloadable Java Xlet™ that runs within the JavaTV™ environment.

As used herein, the term “client device” includes, but is not limitedto, set-top boxes (e.g., DSTBs), gateways, modems, personal computers(PCs), and minicomputers, whether desktop, laptop, or otherwise, andmobile devices such as handheld computers, PDAs, personal media devices(PMDs), tablets, “phablets”, and smartphones.

As used herein, the term “codec” refers to a video, audio, or other datacoding and/or decoding algorithm, process or apparatus including,without limitation, those of the MPEG (e.g., MPEG-1, MPEG-2,MPEG-4/H.264, etc.), Real (RealVideo, etc.), AC-3 (audio), DiVX,XViD/ViDX, Windows Media Video (e.g., WMV 7, 8, 9, 10, or 11), ATI Videocodec, or VC-1 (SMPTE standard 421M) families.

As used herein, the term “computer program” or “software” is meant toinclude any sequence or human or machine cognizable steps which performa function. Such program may be rendered in virtually any programminglanguage or environment including, for example, C/C++, Fortran, COBOL,PASCAL, assembly language, markup languages (e.g., HTML, SGML, XML,VoXML), and the like, as well as object-oriented environments such asthe Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA), Java™ (includingJ2ME, Java Beans, etc.) and the like.

The term “Customer Premises Equipment (CPE)” refers without limitationto any type of electronic equipment located within a customer's orsubscriber's premises and connected to or in communication with anetwork.

As used herein, the term “display” means any type of device adapted todisplay information, including without limitation CRTs, LCDs, TFTs,plasma displays, LEDs (e.g., OLEDs), incandescent and fluorescentdevices, or combinations/integrations thereof. Display devices may alsoinclude less dynamic devices such as, for example, printers, e-inkdevices, and the like.

As used herein, the term “DOCSIS” refers to any of the existing orplanned variants of the Data Over Cable Services InterfaceSpecification, including for example DOCSIS versions 1.0, 1.1, 2.0, 3.0and 3.1.

As used herein, the term “headend” refers generally to a networkedsystem controlled by an operator (e.g., an MSO) that distributesprogramming to MSO clientele using client devices. Such programming mayinclude literally any information source/receiver including, inter alia,free-to-air TV channels, pay TV channels, interactive TV, and theInternet.

As used herein, the terms “Internet” and “internet” are usedinterchangeably to refer to inter-networks including, withoutlimitation, the Internet.

As used herein, the term “memory” includes any type of integratedcircuit or other storage device adapted for storing digital dataincluding, without limitation, ROM. PROM, EEPROM, DRAM, SDRAM, DDR/2SDRAM, EDO/FPMS, RLDRAM, SRAM, “flash” memory (e.g., NAND/NOR), andPSRAM.

As used herein, the terms “microprocessor” and “processor” or “digitalprocessor” are meant generally to include all types of digitalprocessing devices including, without limitation, digital signalprocessors (DSPs), reduced instruction set computers (RISC),general-purpose (CISC) processors, microprocessors, gate arrays (e.g.,FPGAs), PLDs, reconfigurable computer fabrics (RCFs), array processors,secure microprocessors, and application-specific integrated circuits(ASICs). Such digital processors may be contained on a single unitary ICdie, or distributed across multiple components.

As used herein, the terms “MSO” or “multiple systems operator” refer toa cable, satellite, or terrestrial network provider havinginfrastructure required to deliver services including programming anddata over those mediums.

As used herein, the terms “network” and “bearer network” refer generallyto any type of telecommunications or data network including, withoutlimitation, hybrid fiber coax (HFC) networks, satellite networks, telconetworks, and data networks (including MANs, WANs, LANs, WLANs,internets, and intranets). Such networks or portions thereof may utilizeany one or more different topologies (e.g., ring, bus, star, loop,etc.), transmission media (e.g., wired/RF cable, RF wireless, millimeterwave, optical, etc.) and/or communications or networking protocols(e.g., SONET, DOCSIS, IEEE Std. 802.3, ATM, X.25, Frame Relay, 3GPP,3GPP2, WAP, SIP, UDP, FTP, RTP/RTCP, H.323, etc.).

As used herein, the term “network interface” refers to any signal ordata interface with a component or network including, withoutlimitation, those of the FireWire (e.g., FW400, FW800, etc.), USB (e.g.,USB2), Ethernet (e.g., 10/100, 10/100/1000 (Gigabit Ethernet), 10-Gig-E,etc.), MoCA, Coaxsys (e.g., TVnet™), radio frequency tuner (e.g.,in-band or OOB, cable modem, etc.), Wi-Fi (802.11), WiMAX (802.16),Zigbee®, Z-wave, PAN (e.g., 802.15), power line carrier (PLC), or IrDAfamilies.

As used herein, the term “QAM” refers to modulation schemes used forsending signals over cable networks. Such modulation scheme might useany constellation level (e.g. QPSK, 16-QAM, 64-QAM, 256-QAM, etc.)depending on details of a cable network. A QAM may also refer to aphysical channel modulated according to the schemes.

As used herein, the term “server” refers to any computerized component,system or entity regardless of form which is adapted to provide data,files, applications, content, or other services to one or more otherdevices or entities on a computer network.

As used herein, the term “storage” refers to without limitation computerhard drives, DVR device, memory, RAID devices or arrays, optical media(e.g., CD-ROMs, Laserdiscs, Blu-Ray, etc.), or any other devices ormedia capable of storing content or other information.

As used herein, the term “Wi-Fi” refers to, without limitation, any ofthe variants of IEEE-Std. 802.11 or related standards including 802.11a/b/g/n/s/v/ac or 802.11-2012.

As used herein, the term “wireless” means any wireless signal, data,communication, or other interface including without limitation Wi-Fi,Bluetooth, 3G (3GPP/3GPP2), HSDPA/HSUPA, TDMA, CDMA (e.g., IS-95A,WCDMA, etc.), FHSS, DSSS, GSM, PAN/802.15, WiMAX (802.16), 802.20,Zigbee®, Z-wave, narrowband/FDMA, OFDM, PCS/DCS, LTE/LTE-A, analogcellular, CDPD, satellite systems, millimeter wave or microwave systems,acoustic, and infrared (i.e., IrDA).

Overview

In one aspect of the present disclosure, an exemplary wireless networkis configured to use in-service Wireless Network Clients (WNCs), such asmobile phones, laptops, etc., to extend and enhance the wireless networkcoverage. More directly, the WNCs are configured to operate as ServiceAccess Nodes (SANs) to other wireless client devices that are/wereregistered in the same network. In one exemplary embodiment, a SAN hasboth peer-to-peer communications capabilities (to communicate withwireless clients) and gateway functionality (to aggregate data trafficover its own uplink communications).

In one implementation, so-called logical “Peer Control Manager (PCM)”entities associated with each WNC enable, disable, and control theservice functions for that WNC. The PCM can include for example asoftware application (e.g., “app”) that can be downloaded and executedon legacy wireless client devices. Each PCM exchanges service controlinformation over the wireless medium with other wireless clients (whichmay or may not also have PCM software) to enable the wireless client tojoin the wireless network.

A customized “Peer Controller (PC)” is also disclosed that, in oneimplementation, is a network-side entity which provides centralizedcontrol of the wireless network and its constituent peer-to-peersub-networks. The exemplary peer-to-peer sub-network operates as asubset of the wireless network (for instance, the peer-to-peersub-network has the same Service Set Identifier (SSID)). The principlesdescribed herein may also be extended to support full-fledged peernetworks (e.g., with distinct SSIDs). In one such implementation, the PCcontrols the wireless network (via access points) and the correspondingpeer-to-peer sub-networks (via WNCs) to enable, disable, and/or restrictservice provision.

As described in greater detail hereinafter, the PC may additionallycoordinate and manage higher level network functionality. For example,in some embodiments, the PC interacts with an Authentication,Authorization, and Accounting (AAA) service for authorization and policyenforcement functions. Similarly, the PC may track and/or provideaccounting info in the network provider. More generally, the PC managesservice activation and controls the PCMs.

Detailed Description of Exemplary Embodiments

Exemplary embodiments of the apparatus and methods of the presentdisclosure are now described in detail. While these exemplaryembodiments are described in the context of the previously mentionedhybrid fiber coax (HFC) cable architecture having a multiple systemsoperator (MSO), digital networking capability, IP delivery capability,and a plurality of client devices/CPE, the general principles andadvantages of the disclosure may be extended to other types of networksand architectures that are configured to deliver digital media data(e.g., text, video, and/or audio). Such other networks or architecturesmay be broadband, narrowband, wired or wireless, or otherwise, thefollowing therefore being merely exemplary in nature.

It will also be appreciated that while described generally in thecontext of a network providing service to a customer or consumer (i.e.,residential) end user domain, the present disclosure may be readilyadapted to other types of environments including, e.g.,commercial/enterprise, and government/military applications. Myriadother applications are possible.

Also, while certain aspects are described primarily in the context ofthe well-known Internet Protocol (described in, inter alia, InternetProtocol DARPA Internet Program Protocol Specification, IETF RCF 791(September 1981) and Deering, et al., Internet Protocol, Version 6(IPv6) Specification, IETF RFC 2460 (December 1998) each of which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety), it will beappreciated that the present disclosure may utilize other types ofprotocols (and in fact bearer networks to include other internets andintranets) to implement the described functionality.

Other features and advantages of the present disclosure will immediatelybe recognized by persons of ordinary skill in the art with reference tothe attached drawings and detailed description of exemplary embodimentsas given below.

Service Provider Network

FIG. 1 illustrates a typical service provider network configurationuseful with the features of the wireless network described herein. Thisservice provider network 100 is used in one embodiment of the disclosureto provide backbone and Internet access from the service provider'swireless access points (e.g., Wi-Fi AP's). As opposed to an unmanagednetwork, the managed service-provider network of FIG. 1 advantageouslyallows, inter alia, control and management of a given user's access viathe wireless access point(s), including imposition and/orreconfiguration of various access “rules” or other configurationsapplied to the wireless access points. As but one example, the wirelessaccess points (see discussion of FIG. 2 infra) disposed at the servicelocation(s) can be coupled to the bearer managed network (FIG. 1) viae.g., a cable modem termination system (CMTS) and associated localDOCSIS modem, a wireless bearer medium (e.g., an 802.16 WiMAX system), afiber-based system such as FiOS or similar, a third-party medium whichthe managed network operator has access to (which may include any of theforegoing), or yet other means.

Advantageously, the service provider network 100 also allows componentsat the service location (e.g., Wi-Fi APs and any supportinginfrastructure such as routers, switches, MIMO or modulation codingscheme (MCS) or other physical layer (PHY) configurations, etc.) to beremotely reconfigured by the network MSO, based on e.g., prevailingoperational conditions in the network, changes in user population and/ormakeup of users at the service location, business models (e.g., tomaximize profitability), etc.

The various components of the exemplary embodiment of the network 100include (i) one or more data and application origination points 102;(ii) one or more content sources 103, (iii) one or more applicationdistribution servers 104; (iv) one or more VOD servers 105, and (v)customer premises equipment (CPE) 106. The distribution server(s) 104,VOD servers 105 and CPE(s) 106 are connected via a bearer (e.g., HFC)network 101. A simple architecture comprising one of each of theaforementioned components 102, 103, 104, 105, 106 is shown in FIG. 1 forsimplicity, although it will be recognized that comparable architectureswith multiple origination points, distribution servers, VOD servers,and/or CPE devices (as well as different network topologies) may beutilized consistent with the present disclosure. For example, theheadend architecture of FIG. 1a (described in greater detail below), orothers, may be used.

Also shown in FIG. 1 are exemplary wireless access points (WAPs),discussed in greater detail below, which are serviced (backhauled) viaone or more of a coaxial cable backhaul or an optical fiber backhaul,although yet other approaches may be used consistent with the disclosure(e.g., millimeter wave). For example, the WAPs may be serviced by one ormore coaxial drops to the WAP location(s) from e.g., a DOCSIS cablemodem (e.g., one of the CPE 106 shown in FIG. 1) and local “backbone”.Alternatively, a direct fiber drop (e.g., FTTH or FTTC) may be used asshown. Any number of different configurations will be appreciated bythose of ordinary skill in the art given the present disclosure.

FIG. 1a shows one exemplary embodiment of a headend architecture. Asshown in FIG. 1a , the headend architecture 150 comprises typicalheadend components and services including billing module 152, subscribermanagement system (SMS) and CPE configuration management module 154,cable-modem termination system (CMTS) and OOB system 156, as well asLAN(s) 158, 160 placing the various components in data communicationwith one another. It will be appreciated that while a bar or bus LANtopology is illustrated, any number of other arrangements as previouslyreferenced (e.g., ring, star, etc.) may be used consistent with thedisclosure. It will also be appreciated that the headend configurationdepicted in FIG. 1a is high-level, conceptual architecture, and thateach MSO may have multiple headends deployed using custom architectures.

The exemplary architecture 150 of FIG. 1a further includes a conditionalaccess system (CAS) 157 and a multiplexer-encrypter-modulator (MEM) 162coupled to the HFC network 101 adapted to process or condition contentfor transmission over the network. The distribution servers 164 arecoupled to the LAN 160, which provides access to the MEM 162 and network101 via one or more file servers 170. The VOD servers 105 are coupled tothe LAN 160 as well, although other architectures may be employed (suchas for example where the VOD servers are associated with a coreswitching device such as an 802.3z Gigabit Ethernet device). Aspreviously described, information is carried across multiple channels.Thus, the headend must be adapted to acquire the information for thecarried channels from various sources. Typically, the channels beingdelivered from the headend 150 to the CPE 106 (“downstream”) aremultiplexed together in the headend, as previously described and sent toneighborhood hubs (FIG. 1b ) via a variety of interposed networkcomponents.

Content (e.g., audio, video, data, files, etc.) is provided in eachdownstream (in-band) channel associated with the relevant service group.To communicate with the headend or intermediary node (e.g., hub server),the CPE 106 may use the out-of-band (OOB) or DOCSIS channels andassociated protocols. The OCAP 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 3.1 (and subsequent)specification provides for exemplary networking protocols bothdownstream and upstream, although the present disclosure is in no waylimited to these approaches.

FIG. 1c illustrates an exemplary “switched” network architecture whichmay be used consistent with the present disclosure for, inter alia,provision of services to the wireless access points of interest.Specifically, the headend 150 contains switched broadcast control 190and media path functions 192; these element cooperating to control andfeed, respectively, downstream or edge switching devices 194 at the hubsite which are used to selectively switch broadcast streams to variousservice groups. BSA (broadcast switched architecture) media path 192 mayinclude a staging processor 195, source programs, and bulk encryption incommunication with a switch 275. A BSA server 196 is also disposed atthe hub site, and implements functions related to switching andbandwidth conservation (in conjunction with a management entity 198disposed at the headend). An optical transport ring 197 is utilized todistribute the dense wave-division multiplexed (DWDM) optical signals toeach hub in an efficient fashion.

In addition to “broadcast” content (e.g., video programming), thesystems of FIGS. 1a and 1c (and 1 d discussed below) also deliverInternet data services using the Internet protocol (IP), although otherprotocols and transport mechanisms of the type well known in the digitalcommunication art may be substituted. One exemplary delivery paradigmcomprises delivering MPEG-based video content, with the videotransported to user PCs (or IP-based STBs) over the aforementionedDOCSIS channels comprising MPEG (or other video codec such as H.264 orAVC) over IP over MPEG. That is, the higher layer MPEG- or other encodedcontent is encapsulated using an IP protocol, which then utilizes anMPEG packetization of the type well known in the art for delivery overthe RF channels. In this fashion, a parallel delivery mode to the normalbroadcast delivery exists; i.e., delivery of video content both overtraditional downstream QAMs to the tuner of the user's STB or otherreceiver device for viewing on the television, and also as packetized IPdata over the DOCSIS QAMs to the user's PC or other IP-enabled devicevia the user's cable modem. Delivery in such packetized modes may beunicast, multicast, or broadcast.

Referring again to FIG. 1c , the IP packets associated with Internetservices are received by edge switch 194, and in one embodimentforwarded to the cable modem termination system (CMTS) 199. The CMTSexamines the packets, and forwards packets intended for the localnetwork to the edge switch 194. Other packets are discarded or routed toanother component.

The edge switch 194 forwards the packets receive from the CMTS 199 tothe QAM modulator 189, which transmits the packets on one or morephysical (QAM-modulated RF) channels to the CPE. The IP packets aretypically transmitted on RF channels (e.g., DOCSIS QAMs) that aredifferent that the RF channels used for the broadcast video and audioprogramming, although this is not a requirement. The CPE 106 are eachconfigured to monitor the particular assigned RF channel (such as via aport or socket ID/address, or other such mechanism) for IP packetsintended for the subscriber premises/address that they serve.

While the foregoing network architectures described herein can (and infact do) carry packetized content (e.g., IP over MPEG for high-speeddata or Internet TV, MPEG2 packet content over QAM for MPTS, etc.), theyare often not optimized for such delivery. Hence, in accordance withanother embodiment of the disclosure, a “packet optimized” deliverynetwork is used for carriage of the packet content (e.g., IPTV content).FIG. 1d illustrates one exemplary implementation of such a network, inthe context of a 3GPP IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem) network with commoncontrol plane and service delivery platform (SDP), as described inco-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/256,903 filedOct. 30, 2009 and entitled “METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PACKETIZED CONTENTDELIVERY OVER A CONTENT DELIVERY NETWORK”, which is now published asU.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2011/0103374 of the same titlefiled on Apr. 21, 2010, each of which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety. Such a network provides, inter alfa,significant enhancements in terms of common control of differentservices, implementation and management of content delivery sessionsaccording to unicast or multicast models, etc.; however, it isappreciated that the various features of the present disclosure are inno way limited to this or any of the other foregoing architectures.

Wireless Network Architecture and Methods

FIG. 2 illustrates a typical prior art wireless network 200. As shown,the prior art network includes an access point controller/wireless corenetwork 202 that operates as a service node for a number of accesspoints 204 to e.g., the broader Internet (not shown). Each of the accesspoints 204 is further configured to provide wireless network coverage206 (wireless network 206A and wireless network 206B) to directlyservice one or more wireless client devices 208. For example, in one usescenario, the wireless client devices 208 are able to access theInternet via the wireless networks 206; in other deployments, thewireless client devices 208 may be able to access corporate and/oracademic internets or intranets, etc.

In contrast to the prior art wireless network of FIG. 2, FIG. 3illustrates one exemplary wireless network 300 configured according tothe various principles described herein. Similar to the prior artwireless network 200 of FIG. 2, the wireless network 300 of FIG. 3includes an access point (AP) controller/wireless core network 302 thatoperates as a service node for a number of access points 304. Each ofthe access points 304 is configured to provide wireless network 306coverage (wireless network 306A and wireless network 306B). However, asshown, certain wireless devices also operate as Wireless Network Clients(WNCs) 310. As used herein, the term “wireless client” refersgenerically to a wireless device operating as a client (as opposed to ahost), and may include both legacy wireless devices and enabled WNCs.

Each WNC is configured to provide peer-to-peer sub-network coverage. Asused herein, a “peer-to-peer sub-network” refers to each networkprovided by each corresponding WNC that is used to extend the wirelessnetwork coverage based on peer-to-peer communications. Such peer-to-peercommunications may be direct (i.e., from one peer client device toanother) or indirect (e.g., through an intermediary node or device, suchas where a third peer or client acts as a “relay” for data sent from afirst peer to a second peer).

In one exemplary embodiment, the combined coverage of the wirelessnetworks and peer-to-peer sub-networks are configured to provisionnetwork access to e.g., a network provider's bearer network, switchednetworks, and/or packetized networks (as discussed supra). Moregenerally, artisans of ordinary skill in the related arts will readilyappreciate that the combined coverage of the wireless networks andpeer-to-peer sub-networks may provide network access to any number ofnetworks, including the Internet, corporate, home, and/or academicintranets, etc. Additionally, internal access within the total coveragearea may also be provided (e.g., enabling two wireless clients tocommunicate with one another).

Several aspects of the Wireless Network Clients (WNCs) in the exemplaryembodiment of FIG. 3 differ significantly from both legacy wirelessdevice and access point (AP) operation. For example, a WNC may not havethe same capabilities as a service node (e.g., transmission power,antenna gain, processing capability, access to network managemententities, etc.). A WNC may also be required to simultaneously operate asboth a client device via an existing connection to a service node, whilesimultaneously supporting either a peer-to-peer or client-to-hostinterface with another wireless device. Additionally, a WNC may berequired to augment network management functionalities of the APcontroller/wireless core network. A WNC may also act as a relay betweentwo client devices as noted supra.

The following generalized discussions further illustrate operations thatenable a WNC to host, exchange, and transfer data to/from other wirelessclient devices (so-called “foreign data”) via its peer-to-peersub-network.

Mobility Management

FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of a generalized method 400 for a WNCto broadcast its presence and support handovers to/from the wirelessnetwork 300 of FIG. 3.

At step 402 of the method 400, the WNC establishes a connection with oneor more service node(s). In one embodiment, the WNC discovers thepresence of service nodes based on one or more beacon signals via e.g.,active searches, user input, etc. Once the WNC has discovered one ormore available service nodes, the WNC may preferentially connect to aservice node based at least in part on information included within theone or more beacon signals. Common examples of such information mayinclude e.g., network identification, signal quality, supported modes ofoperation, network congestion, etc. In some embodiments, the WNC mayconnect to multiple service nodes so as to e.g., ensure the presence ofat least one connection, access multiple different networkssimultaneously, etc.

In one variant, the WNC may be configured to connect to a particularservice node based at least in one or more predefined parameters. Insome cases the predefined parameters may be set by the network provider,in other cases the predefined parameters may be set by the user (e.g.,based on user preferences for billing, power consumption, etc.). Instill other cases, the predetermined parameters may be internallymanaged by the device based on ongoing device considerations (e.g.,processing burden, power management considerations, hardware/softwarecompatibility, etc.).

In another such variant, the WNC may be instructed to connect to aparticular service node by one or more higher level network managemententities. As a brief aside, some network technologies are centrallymanaged and can instruct a device to “handover” between access points.For example, a device which is already connected to a first access pointmay be instructed to change to another access point by e.g., an APcontroller/core network peer controller (PC) (described in greaterdetail hereinafter), or some other mobility management entity. See,e.g., the exemplary methodology of FIG. 4a , wherein the WNC first scansthe local environment for eligible AP's (step 422), and associated withone AP meeting initial acceptance criteria such as sufficient RSSI,particular communications or link attributes, etc. (step 424). See thediscussion of exemplary Wi-Fi beacons provided subsequently herein. Atthis point, the exemplary WNC may have no idea which of the “eligible”APs is designated by the network controller as the target AP. Per step426, the WNC (e.g., using indigenous peer control entity softwaredescribed in greater detail below) establishes logical communicationwith the network controller (via the AP's Wi-Fi link and the backenddata connection between the AP and the controller), and is forwardedinformation from the controller relating to the desired (target) AP,which may then cause the WNC to disassociate with the original AP andre-associate with the target AP if/when available (step 428).

In other networking technologies, handovers are individually managed byeach client device in conjunction with their AP; in such distributednetwork control schemes, the client device may actively inform the AP ofhandover possibilities and/or the AP may actively prune inactive clientdevices (assuming that device inactivity is due to reception loss).

The WNC may also be steered or associated with a given access pointbased on e.g., different services provided by that access point (e.g.,higher available upstream bandwidth); see, e.g., the methods andapparatus described in co-owned U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/959,885 filed on Dec. 4, 2015, entitled “APPARATUS AND METHODS FORSELECTIVE DATA NETWORK ACCESS”, and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,986,578 onMay 29, 2018, previously incorporated herein, for exemplary approachesto such association.

As previously referenced, some variants may allow the WNC to augment thecoverage area of multiple service nodes. For example, in one embodiment,the WNC may receive multiple signals from multiple different accesspoints with different Service Set Identifiers (SSIDs). The WNC mayconnect via one or more of these service nodes, ostensibly providing acoverage area that bridges between the different access points. In suchvariants, the WNC may select which service nodes to connect, based on amultitude of considerations including, without limitation: the WNC'sprocessing burden, the WNC's transceiver capabilities, the WNC's powerconsumption/remaining power, the link quality of each service node, thecongestion of each service node, overarching network coverageconsiderations (e.g., based on data generated from a centralized orlocal network controller), etc.

In one embodiment of the architecture 400, the WNC includes a peercontrol entity (e.g., application or other software operative to run onthe WNC) which registers with the AP controller/core network thatmanages the service node, such as via the method of FIG. 4a . Datacommunications between the WNC peer control entity and the AP controlleroccur via e.g., the interposed AP. In some cases, the peer controlsoftware has been previously downloaded and installed in the WNC, suchas via an online “app store”, MSO website, etc. In other embodiments,the peer control entity may be indigenous to the WNC at time ofmanufacture/deployment (whether as an application, or via software orfirmware disposed lower in the protocol stack of the WNC).

In still other embodiments, the peer control entity software may be“pushed” (or “pulled”) to wireless clients that the AP controller/corenetwork believes could optimize its network coverage. For example, inpush-type networks, an AP controller/core network entity (e.g., softwareapplication running on the controller) may monitor existing networkcoverage of its APs. APs that meet certain prescribed criteria; e.g.,which have frequent coverage loss or regular bandwidth overflows, maybenefit from having their coverage augmented by one or more peer-to-peersub-networks. In such situations, the AP controller/core network canpush the peer control entity software to one or more wireless clients(or a wireless client can pull the peer control entity software), so asto provide better coverage.

It will also be appreciated that the peer entity software can bedisposed on the WNC (whether at time of manufacture, at time ofregistration with the MSO, or otherwise) and remain dormant until suchneed for augmented coverage arises. For instance, as part of an MSOsubscription plan, subscribers of the MSO network may be asked to assentto having the “invisible” app or software loaded onto their wirelessmobile device, the app configured to enable the provision of augmentedWLAN coverage by the host WNC. The app may then remain dormant, andperiodically wake the Wi-Fi or other interface of the WNC (if notactive) to monitor for communications from an AP controller asking theWNC to act as a peer sub-network provider. When the Wi-Fi interface isactive, the app can routinely monitor for such communications.

Referring back to step 402 of the method 400 of FIG. 4, each peercontrol entity is identified by a unique identifier to the APcontroller/core network. Common examples of unique identifiers include,without limitation, a user email account (or other subscriber-specificaccount), account number, device-specific identifier (e.g., mediumaccess control (MAC) ID, serial number etc.), software registrationnumber (e.g., assigned during initial software installation, etc.), etc.

In one variant, registration with the AP controller/core networkincludes establishing a permanent or semi-permanent security associationbetween the AP controller/core network and the WNC. In someimplementations, the peer control entity is authenticated and/orauthorized to operate as a WNC. As a brief aside, it is readilyappreciated that the WNC may be configured to relay different types ofdata to prospective wireless clients (via the WNC's hosted peer-to-peersub-network). Certain types of data associated with prospective wirelessclients may be especially sensitive, whereas other types of data may notrequire privacy protection. Depending on usage, the WNC may or may notbe subject to stronger (or weaker) security protocols. For example, inorder to guarantee privacy of other wireless clients during clear textdata transmissions (as may be required during initial service discovery)the WNC may be required to implement significant encryption such as AESor DES encryption. In contrast, if the WNC only augments existingcoverage but does not support service discovery protocols, then the WNCcan operate under reduced scrutiny, as it only supports datatransmissions that are already encrypted at the session endpoints (e.g.,between the wireless client and the end service or application).

In some cases, encryption may be performed as a portion of theauthentication and/or authorization process (e.g., an encryption key maybe the result of successful authentication, etc.) In still other cases,encryption may be preconfigured and enabled by default (e.g., existingsecret keys are enabled with successful authentication, etc.). Stillother systems may negotiate and/or re-negotiate keys as part ofoverarching security protocol. Artisans of ordinary skill will readilyappreciate that symmetric encryption (private key encryption) orasymmetric encryption (public key encryption) schemes may be used withequal success in conjunction with the principles described herein.

In some embodiments, the AP controller/core network may actively disableWNC functionality (i.e., limiting the WNC to wireless clientcapabilities), or simply not “wake” the dormant WNC. More directly, WNCcapabilities may not always be useful. For example, in networkdeployments with high WNC densities, the AP controller/core network maylimit the number of WNCs so as to reduce unnecessary network overhead.As will be appreciated, the foregoing processes may be actively anddynamically implemented, depending on e.g., prevailing networkconditions, WNC densities, AP densities in a given area, classes ofusers/subscribers within the coverage area, types of user equipment(e.g., prospective WNCs) within the coverage area, and so forth.

At step 404 of the method 400, the WNC broadcasts service discoveryinformation via its peer-to-peer sub-network. In one exemplaryembodiment, successful connection with the service node provides the WNCwith information necessary to initialize its peer-to-peer sub-networkconsistent with its coverage network. For example, in the context ofWi-Fi, the WNC receives a variety of network parameters from its APcontroller/core network including, without limitation: networkidentification (e.g., service set identifier (SSID), beacon intervals,time stamps, supported features (e.g., data rates) and other parameters,traffic indications, etc.).

In some cases, the WNC may dynamically arbitrate for resources. Forexample, within the context of Wi-Fi, a WNC may use existing Wi-Fidistributed coordination function (DCF) operation to share the wirelessmedium between multiple stations. DCF relies on carrier sense multipleaccess with collision avoidance (CSMA/CA) and optionally includesrequest to send/clear to send signaling (RTS/CTS) to share the wirelessmedium. In other schemes, the WNC may assigned specific resources foruse (e.g., uplink and downlink frequencies, time slots, spreading codes,etc.) Generally, within the context of Wi-Fi, the beacon signal istransmitted within a dedicated time slot, whereas other datatransmissions are dynamically arbitrated according to the aforementionedWi-Fi DCF functionality.

In some embodiments, the WNC broadcasts one or more beacons that enableother wireless devices within its vicinity to discover the WNC. Asdiscussed in greater detail elsewhere herein, wireless devices monitorfor beacons, and regularly assess beacon signal strength in order todetermine which access point (or WNC) can provide the best coverage.Unlike existing wireless network service nodes, an exemplary WNCbroadcasts beacon information which includes information for theircorresponding service node. In this manner, a wireless client that isattaching to an WNC's peer-to-peer sub-network need not reconfigureitself, rather it may continue using the association with its wirelessnetwork service node.

FIG. 5 illustrates one exemplary received signal strength indication(RSSI) that an inventive wireless device observes as it moves away froman access point, toward a WNC. As shown, the AP beacon's RSSI 502Adiminishes as the wireless device moves away from the access point,whereas the WNC beacon's RSSI 502B increases as the wireless devicemoves toward the WNC. When the difference between RSSI 502A and RSSI502B meets or exceeds one or more criteria (e.g., sufficiently highRSSI, sufficiently high RSSI sustained for a prescribed period of time,sufficiently low rate of change of RSSI, etc.) for handover 504 (e.g., 3dBm (decibel-milliwatts)), the wireless device prepares for a handover,and suspends data communications until the handover has successfullycompleted (no communications occur within the handover region in thearea between distances 508 and 510).

Also shown in FIG. 5 is an exemplary minimum reception threshold 506,which in one embodiment comprises the minimum amount of signal strengthneeded to sustain data communications. The minimum reception threshold506 indicates for instance reception strength which is too attenuated tosustain reliable data delivery; a wireless device that cannot locate areplacement network before RSSI drops below the minimum receptionthreshold 506 will terminate the data connection in one implementation.Unlike suspension (described supra), termination results in atermination of the ongoing data session (i.e., subsequent data transferswill require a new data session).

While the aforementioned step 404 of FIG. 4 has been discussed withinthe context of beacon-based service discovery, artisans given thepresent disclosure will readily appreciate that a variety of othertechniques may be used with equal success, without departing from theprinciples described herein. Common discovery techniques include,without limitation: pilot signal search, assisted discovery (e.g., viathe AP controller/core network, etc.), out-of-band discovery services,use of alternate interfaces (e.g., Bluetooth) to initiate handshake orservice connection, network registration services, etc.

It will further be appreciated that while the foregoing exemplaryoperation contemplates received signal strength measurements such asRSSI, virtually any signal or link quality measure (or multiple measuresused in tandem or in a confirmatory fashion) may be substituted withequivalent success. Other examples of link quality include, withoutlimitation: received signal strength (RSS), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR),carrier-to-noise ratio (CNR), signal-to-interference plus noise ratio(SINR), carrier-to-interference plus noise ratio (CINR), bit error rate(BER), block error rate (BLER), packet error rate (PER), etc.

Still further, various other parameters of the foregoing may be adjusted(statically or dynamically) so as to optimize network management. Forexample, increasing the threshold for handoff 504 reduces the frequencyof handovers, while decreasing the threshold for handoff 504 increasesthe frequency of handovers. Such adjustment may be particularly usefuldepending on the relative velocities of the WNC and/or the wirelessclient in consideration of network resources. Faster moving devices mayenter/exit coverage quickly; however, each handover transaction canresult in undesirable network overhead. Thus, increasing or decreasingminimum reception threshold 506 may allow a wireless client to conservepower (rather than continuing to use a fading link, etc.) oralternatively maximize link connectivity even under poor receptioncircumstances.

Moreover, while the aforementioned examples do not distinguish betweenpeer-to-peer sub-networks and wireless networks, it is readilyappreciated that certain implementations may have different parametersassociated therewith; for instance, peer-to-peer sub-networks arelimited by the physical capabilities of the WNC, thus the thresholds forhandoff and minimum reception may require different performance relativeto service provided from the overarching wireless network.

Referring back to FIG. 4, responsive to a request by a wireless deviceto join/leave the WNC's peer-to-peer sub-network, the WNC adds/removesthe wireless device (step 406). In one exemplary embodiment, clientadditions/removals are managed by an access point (AP) controller/corenetwork peer controller (PC); i.e., the wireless devices may beinstructed to connect to a particular service node (either AP or WNC) byone or more higher level network management entities, such as discussedpreviously with respect to FIG. 4a . Alternatively, handovers may beindividually managed by each service node (e.g., Wi-Fi AP) inconjunction with their client devices, etc. In still other embodiments,the wireless device itself is responsible for its own connectivitymanagement, such as via use of the aforementioned indigenous softwareand/or firmware.

It will also be recognized that a given WNC may utilize partly or whollydifferent rules or policies regarding operation, association and/or peersub-network establishment, depending on the identity or affiliation ofthe various APs at a given location. For instance, the WNC of an MSOsubscriber may implement one or more of the foregoing policies wheneverits initial and/or “target” APs (FIG. 4a ) are each owned and operatedby the MSO (such as may be determined by e.g., MAC address of the AP,SSID, advertisement of the AP as being MSO-associated, etc.), whereaswhen operating in a non-MSO network, such peer-to-peer sub-networkcapability is not utilized.

In one exemplary embodiment of the methodology of FIG. 4, a wirelessdevice is “peered” to the peer-to-peer sub-network of the WNC. In otherembodiments, the WNC hosts a small sub-network of the WNC. As used inthe present context, “peer-to-peer” networking refers to any networktopology where the peers are substantially equal participants in thenetwork (e.g., the peers arbitrate amongst themselves equally fornetwork resources). In contrast, “host” and/or “client” based networkingrefers to any network topology where the host controls one or moreaspects of the client participation in the network (e.g., the hostmanages client access to network resources). It will be appreciated thatvarious combinations of the foregoing may be used consistent with thepresent disclosure, such as where e.g., a given client is a peer toanother client within a sub-network offered by a given WNC, the WNChosted by an access point (AP).

It is noted that in some cases where a WNC is in a peer-to-peerarrangement with a client (e.g., user handset), then applications insuch arrangement may be limited (i.e., limited to peer-to-peer messagingor the like, such as SMS/MMS). However, if the WNC is associated with anAP, then the WNC is effectively connected to the “outside world” throughthe AP and associated network connection, thereby expanding itsapplication base.

FIG. 6 illustrates a logical software ladder diagram representation ofone exemplary handover transaction according to the present disclosure.As shown, the wireless device 308 is in communication with an accesspoint (AP) 304 via a first Internet Protocol (IP)-anchored interface602; the AP is also in communication with the AP controller/core network302 via a second IP-anchored interface 604. The WNC 310 also has a thirdIP-anchored interface 606 with the AP controller/core network 302. EachIP-anchored interface allows the two logical endpoints to transactcontrol and data.

During normal operation, the exemplary (Wi-Fi enabled) wireless device308 monitors the network for beacons with SSIDs corresponding to the APcontroller 302, that have better signal quality (RSSI). When thewireless device 308 observes that the WNC 310 has a signal strength thatexceeds the threshold for handoff, then the wireless device transmits arequest for handoff 608 to the WNC 310. If the request for handoff isgranted, then the wireless device transmits a release of the IP-anchoredinterface 602 to the AP controller 302 (step 610), and connects to theWNC 310 (step 612), to establish a peer-to-peer interface 614 which ispiggybacked onto the WNC's peer-to-peer sub-network IP-anchoredinterface 606. In other implementations (not shown), the peer-to-peerinterface 614 may be substituted with an IP-anchored interface withequal success.

In some variants, handover procedures include updating registrationinformation within the new service node and/or the AP controller/corenetwork. For example, in some cases, registration with the service nodeor the AP controller/core network may enable the wireless device tosustain an ongoing user profile and/or historic record of transactions(which may be useful for accounting, billing, etc.). Profile managementmay be useful so as to, inter alia, reduce messaging overhead and enablesession persistence (e.g., reduce re-negotiation of cryptographic keys,etc.), such as where a given client “hops” (for whatever reason) betweenone or more WNCs and/or APs within a given coverage area or network.

In some variants of the foregoing, a wireless device can migrate a datasession (including encryption keys, etc.) from a first service node to asecond service node. Simple variants may update current sessioninformation with the new routing path (e.g., adding and/or removingservice nodes from the routing path, etc.). More complex embodiments mayallow for re-transmission, and/or duplicative transmission of packets,etc. thereby enabling fluid data migration that is transparent to higherlayer software applications. In one such implementation, the APcontroller/core network can provide the appropriate persistenceinformation from the first service node to the second service node.

Data Link Management

FIG. 7 illustrates one generalized method 700 for transacting data viathe peer-to-peer sub-network coverage provided by the WNC. In oneembodiment, the peer-to-peer sub-network is configured to transact oneor more network address packets with other networked devices accordingto a network protocol. As is commonly implemented within the relatedarts, network addressing provides each node of a network with an addressthat is unique to that network; the address can be used to communicate(directly, or indirectly via a series of “hops”) with the correspondingdevice. Common examples of Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) basednetwork routing protocols include for example: Internet Protocol (IP),Internetwork Packet Exchange (IPX), and OSI based network technologies(e.g., Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), Synchronous Optical Networking(SONET), Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH), Frame Relay, etc.). Thoseof ordinary skill in the related arts will readily appreciate that theprinciples described herein be used with equal success in circuitswitched networks, and/or hybridized variants thereof.

At step 702 of the method 700, the WNC receives one or more first datapackets via its downstream peer-to-peer sub-network, and/or one or moresecond data packets via its upstream wireless network. The data packetsmay request one or more services or content from a plurality of contentsources which are accessible via e.g., the Internet, or be one or morecontent that a wireless device seeks to upload to the Internet. Commonexamples of content sources include e.g., web servers, content servers,file servers, etc. Common examples of content may include withoutlimitation e.g., Standard Definition (SD) content, High Definition (HD)content, Video-on-Demand (VOD) content, Switched Digital Video content,and High Speed Data (e.g., DOCSIS). More generally, content sourcesbroadly include any source of digital data such as for example a thirdparty data source, mass storage devices (e.g., RAID system), fileservers, etc.

In one exemplary embodiment, the peer-to-peer sub-network of the WNCshares the same resources between the WNC and the wireless client. Forexample, the uplink and downlink must arbitrate over the same bandwidthaccording to e.g., time slots. Thus, increasing the uplink transactionsdecreases downlink resources available for transactions (and viceversa). Additionally, regardless of whether the wireless client or theWNC transmits or receives data, they share the same bandwidth (i.e., inCSMA/CA, the WNC and the wireless client arbitrate for exclusive accessof the medium). Accordingly, in some cases, it may be better from anetwork resource utilization and/or interference standpoint for a WNC torelay wireless client data, than for the wireless client to transmit thedata itself.

During data transactions, a WNC establishes a first service flow with afirst secured data stream for data exchange between the WNC and awireless client (step 704). Additionally, a second service flow with asecond secured data stream is established between the WNC and theservice node of the WNC. As used in the present context, the term“service node” refers generally and without limitation to the logicalentity providing network services, and may include access points,gateways, other WNCs, and/or other relay entities, etc. Functionally,each WNC can host and transfer bi-directional data that is non-local(i.e., foreign) to the wireless device to its downstream (or“southbound”) peers as well as its upstream (or “northbound”) servicenode that is connected to the backhaul network.

In one embodiment, the upstream and downstream connectivity is performedaccording to a Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) scheme. Othermultiple access schemes include for example Frequency Division MultipleAccess (FDMA), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA),Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), etc. Certain system designconsiderations may require the flexibility of packet-switched delivery,or alternately, the bandwidth guarantees of circuit-switched delivery.Additionally, network content delivery may further include capabilitiesand support for Quality-of-Service (QoS) parameters. QoS parameterssupport resource reservation control mechanisms and may, inter alfa,provide different priorities to different content data, or guarantee aminimum delivery rate.

At step 706 of the method 700, the WNC relays the packets to theirrespective upstream and downstream endpoints.

In one aspect, the WNC may consider its own limitations, the requestedservice of its attached wireless clients, and/or network considerationsas part of the foregoing operations. As a brief aside, within thecontext of wireless consumer products, increased data transmissiondirectly corresponds to an increase in processing burden and powerconsumption. For example, transmitting larger blocks of data requiresmore computational power and longer transmission times. Accordingly, theWNC supports wireless client transmissions at some non-trivial cost tothe WNC's operator (i.e., reducing available battery power, andprocessing for other user-centric tasks). For instance, when the WNC isrunning low on battery, it may decline to support further data requestsfrom its wireless clients. Similarly, if the WNC's user opens aprocessing intensive application, the WNC may preferentially service itsown user before accommodating the requests of its connected wirelessdevices. These features may be implemented on the WNC using, e.g., theaforementioned application software/firmware, or may even hand off suchmanagement (at least in part) to a network entity such as the APcontroller.

FIG. 8 illustrates one exemplary WNC system architecture 800 configuredto manage data link operation. As shown, a number of softwareapplications 802 connect to a Peer Control Manager (PCM) via anApplication to Connection Manager application programming interface(API) 804. The exemplary PCM includes an RF bandwidth calculator 806,and an application bandwidth registry 808. The PCM determines theportion of bandwidth allotted to each of the data streams thatcorrespond to the software applications 802, to produce an aggregatedinput/output stream that is provided to the device driver via aConnection Manager API 810.

As used herein, the term “application programming interface (API)”refers generally and without limitation to one or more routines,protocols, tools, and/or other software or data constructs useful forinteracting with a software entity. Typically, the API provides avirtualized interface that enables software to interface with othersoftware, firmware, and/or hardware components.

In one embodiment, the RF bandwidth calculator 806 is configured toqueue data packets that the WNC receives from either the wirelessnetwork or the peer-to-peer sub-network. Artisans of ordinary skill inthe related arts will readily appreciate, given the present disclosure,that bandwidth for each application 802 can be represented as the amountof data queued (i.e., determined based on the stored data packets) as afunction of collection time. More sophisticated variants mayadditionally track historical bandwidth use (e.g., based on typicalsoftware application loads), predicted bandwidth use (e.g., based on QoSrequests, etc.), and/or network congestion, etc.

In one embodiment, the application bandwidth registry 808 is configuredto store and/or manage one or more application bandwidth requirements.Simple embodiments may comprise a data structure that associates eachactive application 802 with a corresponding bandwidth allocation. Morecomplicated variants of the application bandwidth registry 808 may, forinstance, dynamically increase and or decrease bandwidth for activeapplications 802 based on e.g., current usage, historical usage, currentnetwork capacity, predicted network capacities, WNC capabilities, etc.In some cases, the application bandwidth registry 808 may additionallystore inactive application requirements and/or usage statistics so as toexpedite activation of the inactive applications, and/or for use withhistoric performance metrics, etc.

During operation, the exemplary implementation of the RF bandwidthcalculator 806 determines (such as via consultation of the applicationbandwidth registry 808) the bandwidth allocations for the applications802. For example, in network scenarios where there are bandwidthconstraints, the PCM may determine that certain ones of the applications802 should be prioritized over other applications, such as e.g., wherethat application must maintain certain QoS requirements. In one suchscenario, the PCM may be notified of an impending network connectivityloss (e.g., handover) and may prepare to suspend its connectionsgracefully, and/or prioritize each application with active datatransfers. In another such scenario, the WNC may have limited deviceresources (e.g., power, processing, etc.); consequently, the PCM maypreferentially service the requirements of its own subscriber beforerelaying the services of connected wireless clients.

In some embodiments, the PCM may consider other incentives and/ordisincentives in prioritizing operation. For example, the network mayseek to compensate the WNC user for additional coverage provided by WNCoperation. This compensation may be monetary e.g., in the form ofbilling rebates, promotion codes, reduced service fees, etc. In othersituations, the compensation may be service related; e.g., preferentialor “head-of-the-line” service, and/or unlocking desirable devicefeatures, etc. For example, the ability to use the additional coveragearea provided by WNCs may be predicated on enabling WNC functionality inthe user's own device. In related variants, users may be able topurchase special data plans that enable their wireless clients toconnect to WNCs, and/or to prevent their device from operating as a WNC.

It is appreciated that in some circumstances, network providers may havethe ability to force a wireless device into operating as an WNC toextending coverage. For example, service in certain rural areas (orareas of low coverage) may require (e.g., as a condition of service fora given user) that the user permits the network provider to “piggyback”coverage for one or more other users. In other examples, certain usescenarios may demand enhanced coverage capabilities (e.g., in the eventof emergency, and/or to assist in natural disaster recovery efforts,etc.).

Various other schemes for enabling/disabling WNC sharing will be readilyappreciated by those of ordinary skill in the related arts, given thecontents of the present disclosure.

Wireless Network Client (WNC) Apparatus

FIG. 9 illustrates one exemplary Wireless Network Client (WNC) accordingto the present disclosure. As shown, the WNC includes: a processorsubsystem 902, a memory module 904, connection manager 906, a radiofrequency interface 908, a peer control module 910, a baseband controlmodule 912, a transmit module 914, and a receive module 916.

In one exemplary embodiment, the processor 902 may include one or moreof a digital signal processor, microprocessor, field-programmable gatearray, or plurality of processing components mounted on one or moresubstrates. The processor subsystem 902 may also comprise an internalcache memory. The processor subsystem is in communication with a memorysubsystem 904, the latter including memory which may for examplecomprise SRAM, flash, and/or SDRAM components. The memory subsystem mayimplement one or more of DMA-type hardware, so as to facilitate dataaccesses as is well known in the art. The memory subsystem of theexemplary embodiment contains computer-executable instructions which areexecutable by the processor subsystem.

The processor subsystem 902 is configured to execute at least onecomputer program stored in memory 904 (e.g., non-transitory computerreadable storage media). The computer program may include a plurality ofcomputer readable instructions configured to perform peer controlmanagement. In other embodiments, the “Peer Control Manager” (PCM) 910is a dedicated hardware module that is separate from the processor 902,in still other embodiments the PCM 910 is a software program that isvirtualized within another processor (e.g., a co-processor (not shown),etc.).

In one embodiment, the connection manager 906 utilizes a dedicatedhardware module that is separate from the PCM 910; in other embodiments,the connection manager 906 is a software program executed in conjunctionor in concert with the PCM 910. A wireless client device may furtherincorporate hardware enhancements (referred to herein as a “Peer Module”(PM)) to support WNC operation and/or avoid hardware limitations on theWNC operation. Wireless clients that operate as a WNC with only PCMsoftware/firmware and wireless clients with both PCM software/firmwareand PM hardware enhancements are envisioned.

In one embodiment, the radio frequency interface 908 is configured totransact one or more network address packets with other networkeddevices according to a network protocol. As previously noted, networkaddressing provides each node of a network with an address that isunique to that network; the address can be used to communicate (directlyvia peer-to-peer communications, or indirectly via a series of “hops”)with the corresponding device. In more complex networks, multiple layersof indirection may be used to assist in address exhaustion (e.g., oneaddress is logically divided into another range of network addresses,etc.). Common examples of Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) basednetwork routing protocols include for example: Internet Protocol (IP),Internetwork Packet Exchange (IPX), and OSI based network technologies(e.g., Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), Synchronous Optical Networking(SONET), Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH), Frame Relay, etc.).

Referring now to the PCM 910 of FIG. 9, one implementation of the PCM910 is configured to: (i) register with a service node and/or accesspoint (AP) controller/core network; (ii) enable service discovery forwireless clients based on network information; and (iii) establish apeer-to-peer sub-network with wireless clients. In one exemplaryembodiment, registration of the PCM 910 includes contacting acomplementary peer controller (PC) service provided by the APcontroller/core network. As described in greater detail elsewhereherein, the PC service is configured to authenticate and authorize theWNC. On successful authorization, the WNC may be enabled/instructed toprovision WNC functionality for its neighboring wireless clients. In onevariant, the WNC provisions network service in accordance withinformation provided by the PC. For example, the PC may specify whichSSIDs the WNC can bridge. In another example, the PC may instruct theWNC to operate a completely independent sub-network (with a uniqueSSID), etc.

As will be readily appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the relatedarts, the PCM may provide network service by e.g., providing networkidentification, managing network congestion, managing capabilitiessupported by the wireless network, etc. For example, the PCM maycommunicate with wireless clients, and/or enable/disable WNCfunctionality to intelligently manage its peer-to-peer sub-networkcoverage.

In another aspect, the connection manager 906 is configured to manageand relay packets from a peer-to-peer sub-network to a wireless network,and vice versa. In one exemplary embodiment, the connection manager 906operates as a service access node (SAN) to other wireless clients in thesame network. A SAN has both peer-to-peer communications capabilities(to communicate with wireless clients) and gateway functionality (toaggregate data traffic over its own uplink communications). As used inthe present context, the term “gateway” refers without limitation to anynetwork node that is configured to bridge data transactions betweennetworks that use e.g., different protocols, addressing schemes, etc.Within the context of the exemplary WNC, the PCM operates as a gatewaybetween peer-to-peer messaging (with its downstream wireless client(s))and wireless network messaging (to the upstream AP). Other examples ofgateway functionality may require, without limitation: protocoltranslation, network address translation, rate conversion, firewallcapabilities, rate buffering, etc.

For example, for each wireless client, an exemplary WNC SAN may collectdata packets from the peer-to-peer sub-network and arbitrate for accessto the wireless network. Once access to the wireless network is granted,the WNC SAN performs network address translation and transmits the datapackets according to guaranteed quality of service (QoS) requirements.Additionally, while connected to the AP the WNC SAN can receive packetsdestined for the wireless client. Thereafter, the WNC SAN can relay thedownstream packets to the wireless client via the peer-to-peer network.

The radio/modem subsystem of the device 900 of FIG. 9 comprises adigital baseband 912, TX Transmit Module 914 and RX Receive Module 916.The apparatus 900 further comprises a radio frequency interface 908 thatgenerally incorporates an assembly of filters, low noise amplifiers(LNAs), power amplifiers (PAs), and antenna assemblies that areconfigured to transmit a modulated waveform via an air interface. Asshown, the radio/modem subsystem may be configured to support MIMO(Multiple Input Multiple Output) antenna technology in which multipleantennas are used to transmit and receive signaling. With MIMO, multipleindependent data streams can be transmitted in parallel using the sametime-frequency resource. To distinguish the data streams sharing thissame time-frequency resource, spatial division multiplexing is applied.Those of ordinary skill in the related arts will readily appreciate thatSISO (Single In, Single Out), SIMO (Single In, Multiple Out), and MISO(Multiple In, Single Out) antenna schemes may be substituted withequivalent success.

The present disclosure is primarily directed to consumer electronicsdevices, such as, but not limited to: set-top boxes (e.g., DSTBs),gateways, modems, personal computers (PCs), and minicomputers, whetherdesktop, laptop, or otherwise, and mobile devices such as handheldcomputers, PDAs, personal media devices (PMDs), tablets, “phablets”, andsmartphones. Artisans of ordinary skill will readily appreciate thatconsumer electronics devices may incorporate various other assortedcomponents necessary to support functions, such as: power modules,peripherals modules, display modules, camera modules, voice codecmodules, etc.

Access Point Controller/Core Network Apparatus

FIG. 10 illustrates one exemplary Access Point (AP) Controller/CoreNetwork Peer Connection Manager (PCM) 1000 according to the presentdisclosure. As shown, the AP controller includes: a processor 1002, amemory module 1004, a peer controller (PC) 1006, a backend (e.g.,backhaul) network interface 1010, and a WLAN interface 1012. Artisans ofordinary skill in the related arts will readily appreciate, given thepresent disclosure, that the AP Controller/Core Network PC may bevirtualized and/or distributed within other core network entities, theforegoing apparatus being purely illustrative. Moreover, in deploymentscenarios where an access point operates in a stand-alone manner withoutan overarching network of access points (e.g., consumer premises mayonly have a single AP, etc.), it is readily appreciated that a single APmay execute the complementary PC 1006.

In one exemplary embodiment, the processor 1002 may include one or moreof a digital signal processor, microprocessor, field-programmable gatearray, or plurality of processing components mounted on one or moresubstrates. The processor 1002 may also comprise an internal cachememory. The processing subsystem is in communication with a memorysubsystem 1004, the latter including memory which may for examplecomprise SRAM, flash, and/or SDRAM components. The memory subsystem mayimplement one or more of DMA type hardware, so as to facilitate dataaccesses as is well known in the art. The memory subsystem of theexemplary embodiment contains computer-executable instructions which areexecutable by the processor subsystem.

The processing apparatus 1002 is configured to execute at least onecomputer program stored in memory 1004 (e.g., non-transitory computerreadable storage media). The computer program may include a plurality ofcomputer readable instructions configured to perform the complementarylogical functions of a peer controller (PC) 1006. Other embodiments mayimplement such functionality within dedicated hardware, logic, and/orspecialized co-processors (not shown). For instance, the peer controller(or portions of the functionality thereof) can be located in one or moreMSO data centers, and/or in other “cloud” entities (whether within ouroutside of the MSO network).

In one embodiment, the complementary PC 1006 is configured to registerwireless clients and wireless network clients (WNCs), and centrallycontrol the broader wireless network (and constituent peer-to-peersub-networks). Common examples of configuration include: providingnetwork identification, managing network congestion, managingcapabilities supported by the wireless network, etc. For example, thecomplementary PC 1006 may communicate with WNCs executing PCM clients,and/or enable/disable such PCM clients to intelligently manage theoverall coverage provided by the wireless network and peer-to-peersub-network coverage. In some variants, the PC 1006 may be configured topush (or respond to pull requests) for WNC clients so as to augmentand/or enhance its coverage area.

In one embodiment, the complementary PC 1006 is further configured tocommunicate with one or more authentication, authorization, andaccounting (AAA) servers of the core network. The AAA servers areconfigured to provide, inter alfa, authorization services and facilitatetracking and/or control of network subscribers for intelligentlycontrolling access to computer resources, enforcing policies, auditingusage, and providing the information necessary to bill for services.

In some variants, authentication processes are configured to identify asubscriber, typically by having the subscriber enter a valid user nameand valid password before access is granted. The process ofauthentication may be based on each subscriber having a unique set ofcriteria or credentials (e.g., unique user name and password, challengequestions, entry of biometric data, entry of “human” verification datasuch as “Captcha” data, etc.) for gaining access to the network. Forexample, the AAA servers may compare a user's authentication credentialswith user credentials stored in a database. If the authenticationcredentials match the stored credentials, the user may then be grantedaccess to the network. If the credentials are at variance,authentication fails and network access may be denied.

Following authentication, the AAA servers are configured to grant asubscriber authorization for certain features, functions, and/or doingcertain tasks. After logging into a system, for instance, the subscribermay try to issue commands. The authorization process determines whetherthe user has the authority to issue such commands. Simply put,authorization is the process of enforcing policies: determining whattypes or qualities of activities, resources, or services a user ispermitted. Usually, authorization occurs within the context ofauthentication. Once a user is authenticated, they may be authorized fordifferent types of access or activity. A given user may also havedifferent types, sets, or levels of authorization, depending on anynumber of aspects. For instance, a given subscriber may be authorizedto: operate as a wireless network client (WNC), access a WNC, preventother subscribers from requesting WNC based access, etc.

The AAA servers may be further configured for accounting, which measuresthe resources a user consumes during access. This may include the amountof system time or the amount of data a user has sent and/or receivedduring a session, somewhat akin to cellular data plans based on so manyconsumed or available Gb of data. Accounting may be carried out bylogging of session statistics and usage information, and is used for,inter alfa, authorization control, billing, trend analysis, resourceutilization, and capacity planning activities. It will be appreciatedthat in other examples, one or more AAA servers can be located at theregional data center, and may be linked to a third-party or proxyserver, such as that of an event management entity.

Accounting information may be used to compensate subscribers for theirWNC operation, and/or WNC resource consumption. As previously noted,compensation may be monetary e.g., in the form of billing rebates,promotions, reduced service fees, etc. In other situations, thecompensation may be service related i.e., preferential service, and/orunlocking desirable device features, etc.

In one embodiment, the backend network interface 1010 is configured totransact one or more network address packets with other networkeddevices according to a network protocol. Common examples of Open SystemsInterconnection (OSI) based network routing protocols include forexample: Internet Protocol (IP), Internetwork Packet Exchange (IPX), andOSI based network technologies (e.g., Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM),Synchronous Optical Networking (SONET), Synchronous Digital Hierarchy(SDH), Frame Relay, etc.) The network interface 1010 operates in signalcommunication with the backbone of the content delivery network (CDN),such as that of FIGS. 1-1 d. These interfaces might comprise forinstance GbE (Gigabit Ethernet) or other interfaces of suitablebandwidth capability.

The WLAN interface 1012 is utilized in the illustrated embodiment forcommunication with the WLN APs, such as via Ethernet or other datanetwork protocols. It will also be appreciated that the two interfaces1010, 1012 may be aggregated together, and/or shared with other extantdata interfaces, such as in cases where the controller entity functionis virtualized within another component, such as an MSO network serverperforming other functions.

It will be recognized that while certain aspects of the disclosure aredescribed in terms of a specific sequence of steps of a method, thesedescriptions are only illustrative of the broader methods of thedisclosure, and may be modified as required by the particularapplication. Certain steps may be rendered unnecessary or optional undercertain circumstances. Additionally, certain steps or functionality maybe added to the disclosed embodiments, or the order of performance oftwo or more steps permuted. All such variations are considered to beencompassed within the disclosure disclosed and claimed herein.

While the above detailed description has shown, described, and pointedout novel features of the disclosure as applied to various embodiments,it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions, and changesin the form and details of the device or process illustrated may be madeby those skilled in the art without departing from the disclosure. Thisdescription is in no way meant to be limiting, but rather should betaken as illustrative of the general principles of the disclosure. Thescope of the disclosure should be determined with reference to theclaims.

It will be further appreciated that while certain steps and aspects ofthe various methods and apparatus described herein may be performed by ahuman being, the disclosed aspects and individual methods and apparatusare generally computerized/computer-implemented. Computerized apparatusand methods are necessary to fully implement these aspects for anynumber of reasons including, without limitation, commercial viability,practicality, and even feasibility (i.e., certain steps/processes simplycannot be performed by a human being in any viable fashion).

What is claimed is:
 1. Computerized network controller apparatus for usewithin a wireless network, the computerized network controller apparatusin data communication with one or more computerized network accesspoints, a plurality of computerized wireless user devices in datacommunication with the wireless network via the one or more computerizednetwork access points, the computerized network controller apparatuscomprising: a data interface, the data interface configured for datacommunication with the one or more computerized network access points; aprocessor apparatus in data communication with the data interface; and astorage apparatus in data communication with the processor apparatus,the storage apparatus having at least one computer program storedthereon which is operative to run on the processor apparatus, the atleast one computer program comprising a plurality of instructions whichare configured to, when executed by the processor apparatus, cause thecomputerized network controller apparatus to: establish a datacommunication session with a first computerized wireless user device ofthe plurality of computerized wireless user devices via a firstcomputerized network access point of the one or more computerizednetwork access points; evaluate at least one parameter associated with awireless link between the first computerized wireless user device andthe first computerized network access point to identify degradation ofperformance of the wireless link, the evaluation comprising comparisonof the at least one parameter associated with the wireless link to apre-determined threshold for handoff; based on a determination that theat least one parameter associated with the wireless link is less thanthe pre-determined threshold for the handoff, evaluate at least onenetwork parameter to enable at least a determination of whether anundesirable network overhead condition is present; based at least inpart on a determination that the undesirable network overhead conditionis present: generate an adjusted threshold for the handoff, such thatthe at least one parameter associated with the wireless link is greaterthan the adjusted threshold for the handoff; and maintain the wirelesslink between the first computerized wireless user device and the firstcomputerized network access point; and based at least in part on adetermination that the undesirable network overhead condition is notpresent: identify a target network access point for the handoff, theidentification of the target network access point comprisingidentification of a second computerized wireless user device of theplurality of computerized wireless user devices; and communicate one ormore data elements to the second computerized wireless user device, theone or more data elements configured to cause the second computerizedwireless user device to establish data communication with the firstcomputerized wireless user device.
 2. The computerized networkcontroller apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of instructions,when executed by the processor apparatus, further cause the computerizednetwork controller apparatus to, based on a determination that the atleast one parameter associated with the wireless link is greater thanthe pre-determined threshold for the handoff, maintain datacommunication between the first computerized wireless user device andthe first computerized network access point.
 3. The computerized networkcontroller apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of instructions,when executed by the processor apparatus, further cause the computerizednetwork controller apparatus to maintain the data communication sessionbetween the first computerized wireless user device and the computerizednetwork controller apparatus, based at least in part on: (i) thedetermination that the undesirable network overhead condition is notpresent; (ii) association of the first computerized wireless user devicewith the second computerized wireless user device; and (iii)disassociation of the first computerized wireless user device from thefirst computerized network access point.
 4. The computerized networkcontroller apparatus of claim 1, wherein the adjusted threshold for thehandoff is configured to decrease a frequency of handovers within thewireless network.
 5. The computerized network controller apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the evaluation of the at least one parameter associatedwith the wireless link comprises evaluation of at least one of a signalstrength, a signal-to-noise ratio, or a packet error of the wirelesslink.
 6. The computerized network controller apparatus of claim 1,wherein the evaluation of the at least one network parameter comprisesevaluation of a frequency of handovers within at least a portion of thewireless network.
 7. The computerized network controller apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the evaluation of the at least one network parametercomprises evaluation of a number of the plurality of computerizedwireless user devices operating as network nodes for at least one of:(i) a designated point in time, or (ii) a designated period of time. 8.The computerized network controller apparatus of claim 1, wherein theidentification of the second computerized wireless user devicecomprises: determination of at least one parameter value associated withthe second computerized wireless user device; and determination that theat least one parameter value associated with the second computerizedwireless user device is greater than a prescribed threshold value forestablishing a new connection.
 9. The computerized network controllerapparatus of claim 8, wherein the evaluation of the at least oneparameter associated with the second computerized wireless user devicecomprises evaluation of a current battery power level of the secondcomputerized wireless user device.
 10. The computerized networkcontroller apparatus of claim 8, wherein the evaluation of the at leastone parameter associated with the second computerized wireless userdevice comprises evaluation of at least one processing capability of thesecond computerized wireless user device.
 11. The computerized networkcontroller apparatus of claim 1, wherein the identification of thetarget network access point for the handoff comprises: evaluation of twoor more computerized wireless user devices of the plurality ofcomputerized wireless user devices; determination that the secondcomputerized wireless user device is capable of acting as an access nodeto the wireless network; and determination that a different one of thetwo or more computerized wireless user devices is not capable of actingas an access node to the wireless network.
 12. The computerized networkcontroller apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of instructionsare further configured to, when executed by the processor apparatus,cause the computerized network controller apparatus to, based on adetermination that the at least one parameter associated with thewireless link is greater than the pre-determined threshold for thehandoff, evaluate at least a second network parameter to enabledetermination of whether poor reception of the wireless network ispresent.
 13. The computerized network controller apparatus of claim 12,wherein the plurality of instructions are further configured to, whenexecuted by the processor apparatus, cause the computerized networkcontroller apparatus to, based at least in part on the determinationthat the poor reception of the wireless network is present: generate asecond adjusted threshold for a second handoff, such that the at leastone parameter associated with the wireless link is less than the secondadjusted threshold for the second handoff; identify a second targetnetwork access point for the second handoff, the identification of thesecond target network access point comprising identification of a thirdcomputerized wireless user device of the plurality of computerizedwireless user devices; and communicate one or more second data elementsconfigured to cause the third computerized wireless user device toenable data communication with the first computerized wireless userdevice.
 14. The computerized network controller apparatus of claim 12,wherein the plurality of instructions are further configured to, whenexecuted by the processor apparatus, cause the computerized networkcontroller apparatus to, based at least in part on the determinationthat the poor reception of the wireless networks is not present,maintain data communication between the first computerized wireless userdevice and the first computerized network access point.
 15. Acomputerized method of operating a wireless network, the wirelessnetwork comprising a computerized network control entity in datacommunication with one or more computerized network access points, thecomputerized method comprising: establishing a data communicationsession between a first computerized wireless user device of a pluralityof computerized wireless user devices and the computerized networkcontrol entity via a first computerized network access point of the oneor more computerized network access points; evaluating at least oneparameter associated with a wireless link between the first computerizedwireless user device and the first computerized network access point toidentify degradation of performance of the wireless link, the evaluatingcomprising comparing the at least one parameter associated with thewireless link to a pre-determined threshold for handoff; evaluating atleast one network parameter to enable at least a determination ofwhether an unacceptable level of network reception is present; based atleast in part on: (i) a determination that the at least one parameterassociated with the wireless link is greater than the pre-determinedthreshold for the handoff, and (ii) a determination that theunacceptable level of network reception is present: adjusting thepre-determined threshold for the handoff to generate an adjustedthreshold for the handoff, such that the at least one parameterassociated with the wireless link is less than the adjusted thresholdfor the handoff; identifying a target network access point for thehandoff, the identifying of the target network access point comprisingidentifying a second computerized wireless user device of the pluralityof computerized wireless user devices; and communicating one or moredata elements to the second computerized wireless user devices, the oneor more data elements configured to cause the second computerizedwireless user device to enable data communication with the firstcomputerized wireless user device when the first and second computerizedwireless user devices are within wireless communications range of oneanother.
 16. The computerized method of claim 15, further comprising:determining, prior to said evaluating said at least one parameter andsaid evaluating said at least one network parameter, that the at leastone parameter associated with the wireless link is greater than thepre-determined threshold for handoff; and based at least on determiningthat the unacceptable level of network reception is not present,maintaining the wireless link between the first computerized wirelessuser device and the first computerized network access point for at leasta period of time.
 17. The computerized method of claim 15, furthercomprising maintaining the data communication session between the firstcomputerized wireless user device and the computerized network controlentity based at least in part on: (i) the determination that the atleast one parameter associated with the wireless link is greater thanthe pre-determined threshold for the handoff; (ii) the determinationthat the unacceptable level of network reception is present; (iii)associating the first computerized wireless user device with the secondcomputerized wireless user device; and (iv) disassociating the firstcomputerized wireless user device from the first computerized networkaccess point.
 18. The computerized method of claim 15, wherein theadjusting of the pre-determined threshold for the handoff to generatethe adjusted threshold for the handoff comprises increasing a frequencyof handovers within the wireless network.
 19. Computerized networkcontroller apparatus for use within a wireless network, the computerizednetwork controller apparatus in data communication with one or morecomputerized network access points, a plurality of computerized wirelessuser devices in data communication with the wireless network via the oneor more computerized network access points, the computerized networkcontroller apparatus comprising: a data interface configured for datacommunication with the one or more computerized network access points; aprocessor apparatus in data communication with the data interface; and astorage apparatus in data communication with the processor apparatus,the storage apparatus having at least one computer program comprising aplurality of instructions configured to, when executed by the processorapparatus, cause the computerized network controller apparatus to:establish a data communication session with a first computerized userdevice of the plurality of computerized wireless user devices via afirst access point of the one or more computerized network accesspoints; determine that at least one link parameter associated with awireless link between the first computerized user device and the firstaccess point meets a pre-determined criterion for handoff; determinewhether an undesired network overhead condition is present; based atleast in part on a determination that the undesired network overheadcondition is present: (i) generate an adjusted criterion for thehandoff, such that the at least one link parameter does not meet theadjusted criterion for the handoff; and (ii) maintain the wireless linkbetween the first computerized user device and the first access point;and based at least in part on a determination that the undesired networkoverhead condition is not present: (i) identify a second computerizeduser device of the plurality of computerized wireless user devices forthe handoff; and (ii) cause the second computerized user device toestablish data communication with the first computerized user device.20. The computerized network controller apparatus of claim 19, whereinthe determination of whether the undesired network overhead condition ispresent comprises an evaluation of a at least one network parameter, theat least one network parameter comprising a number of the plurality ofcomputerized wireless user devices operating as network nodes for adesignated point in time.
 21. The computerized network controllerapparatus of claim 20, wherein the evaluation of the at least onenetwork parameter is performed in response to the determination that theat least one link parameter meets the pre-determined criterion for thehandoff.
 22. A computerized method of operating a wireless network,comprising: establishing a data communication session between a firstcomputerized wireless user device and the computerized network controlentity via a first network access point; determining that at least oneparameter associated with a wireless link between the first computerizedwireless user device and the first network access point does not meet apre-determined criterion for handoff; identifying a level of networkreception within the wireless network which is below a level needed tomaintain reliable data connection; based at least in part on: (i) thedetermining, and (ii) the identifying: generating an adjusted criterionfor the handoff, such that the at least one parameter associated withthe wireless link meets the adjusted threshold for the handoff;identifying a second computerized wireless user device as a target forthe handoff; and enabling data communication between the secondcomputerized wireless user device and the first computerized wirelessuser device when the first and second computerized wireless user devicesare within wireless communications range of one another.
 23. Thecomputerized method of claim 22, wherein the identifying theunacceptable level of network reception within the wireless networkcomprises evaluating at least one network parameter.
 24. Thecomputerized method of claim 23, wherein the evaluating the at least onenetwork parameter comprises evaluating a frequency of handovers withinat least a portion of the wireless network.
 25. The computerized methodof claim 23, wherein the evaluating the at least one network parametercomprises evaluating a number of computerized wireless user devicesoperating as network nodes of the wireless network for at least one of:(i) a designated point in time, or (ii) a designated period of time. 26.A computerized method of operating a wireless network, comprising:establishing a data communication session between a first computerizedwireless user device and the computerized network control entity via afirst network access point; determining that at least one parameterassociated with a wireless link between the first computerized wirelessuser device and the first network access point meets a pre-determinedcriterion for handoff; determining whether an undesired network overheadcondition exists; and executing computerized logic, the computerizedlogic configured to, when executed: based at least in part ondetermining indicating an existence of the undesired network overheadcondition: (i) generate an adjusted criterion for the handoff, such thatthe at least one parameter does not meet the adjusted criterion for thehandoff; and (ii) maintain the wireless link between the firstcomputerized wireless user device and the first network access point;and based at least in part on determining that the undesired networkoverhead condition does not exist: (i) identify a second computerizedwireless user device to utilize for the handoff; and (ii) cause thesecond computerized wireless user device to establish data communicationwith the first computerized wireless user device.
 27. The computerizedmethod of claim 26, wherein the determining whether the undesirednetwork overhead condition exists comprises evaluating at least onenetwork parameter, the at least one network parameter comprising anumber of a plurality of computerized wireless user devices within thewireless network and operating as network nodes at a designated point intime.
 28. The computerized method of claim 27, wherein the evaluating ofthe at least one network parameter comprises evaluating the at least onenetwork parameter based at least on the determining that the at leastone link parameter meets the pre-determined criterion for the handoff.